Controlling device for electric motors.



Patented Fen. 26, 190|.

A. G'. CARLSU'N. CCNTRDLLINC DEVICE FCR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

(Application filed May 19, 1899.\

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

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CONTRULLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS. (Appumnm md my 19, lsaay (No Iodel.)

3 Shoots-Sheet 2. n

. mmmommnmmwmms iication.

UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE'.

ADIO'LPH G. .CARLSOILOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONTROLLING DEVICEFOR ELECTRICv MOTORS.

sPEcIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,978, dated February 2e, 1901.

:ipplmaon tutti my 1e. 1899.

To all. whom it'maty concern:

Be it known that l, ADOLPH G. CARLSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and StateofIllinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Controlling Devices for Electric Motors, of which the following is aspeci-` My invention relates to controlling devices for motors and the like, and has for its object to provide a new and improved control. ling device' of this description'.

.My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in part section, showing a controller proper embodying my invention and adapted to be used in controlling an electric motor. Fig. 2'is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in part section'of a reversing device constructed upon the same lines as the controller proper. Fig. 4 is a Section on line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in part section of a retarding device for retardiugorgovern ing the operation of thecontroller proper. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic viewshowing t-he connections when the several devices are connected in circuitwith two motors, the circuits being particularly adapted for streetcar service. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing several street-cars or vehicles counccted in circuit, so that they may all beopcrated simultaneously.v

Like lett-ers refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

The controlling device herein vshown may he used for anysuitable purpose` and in connection with any desired system of circuits. For purposes ot' illustration I have shown the device as connected in aclrcuit particularly adapted for street-car service. Y

Referring now to Fig. 1, Lhave shown a device arranged for controlling the admission of current to an -electric motor. 'This device consists oi a series ol coils oirwi'reor acoil of wire divided into several sections, said coil being provided with a core made up of pieces ot' magneticl material and pieces oi non-magnetic material connected together. The coil and core are so arranged that by varying the length of the coil energized in a predetermined manier or .by admitting current into the several sections of thecoil in a predeterg serial No. 717,898. \No model.)

mined manner the relative movement of the coil and theV core will be produced.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, I have shown a coil made up of three/sections A, B, and C, the coil being provided with a hollow center into which is received a suitable core. This core is made up of a series of pieces D D' D2, dac., of nonseveral pieces being formed into a continu ous core. I have shown a construction wherein the core is held stationary and the coil is moved therealong; but it is ofcourse evident that the1 coil may be held stationary and the core permitted to move, if desired. When the parts are in their initial position, as shown in Fig. 1, the pieceof magnetic material E projects only partially into the section A of the coil. If now the section A is energized,

it attracts the magnetic piece E', and since the coil is free to movel said coil will be moved forward until the piece E' is entirely contained within said section. When this occurs, acondition of equilibria in is established. The magnetic piece E now projects only partially into the section and hence il the section A is denergized and section B energized the coil will move forward another step-that is, until the magnetic piece E is completely within the section B. When the parts are in this position, the magnetic piece E projects only partially into section C, and hence ifsection B is denergized and section C energized the coil will move up another step. After this latter movement of the coil the parts are in such posit-ion that the magnetic piece E2 projects-partially into section A and bears thesame relation to said section as the niagnetic piece E in Fig. 1. If now the current is admitted to the sectionsin the order above described, the coil will be advanced, as hereinbel'ore'set out. Some suitable means is providedfor bringing the partsback to their initial position when thecurrent through the coil is broken. 'Ihis result may be obtained A in any desired `manner-as,l for example, by

`providing the spring A,`attached to some ilxed part and also attached to the coil. In constructions'where thek relative movement oiV the coil and core is comparatively large i the "parts may be brought back -to their ipitial lOO 6o K magnetic material, separated by a series ot Y pieces E E' E, &c., of magnetic material, the

t v ses position with considerable force, and. hence it may be necessary to provide some means for gradually bringing the parts to rest. This may be attained iu any desired manneras, for example, by means of one or more pistons A2, working in suitable openings to act as dash-pots. When the device is constructed as a controller, the coil is provided with one or moreinsulated contacts. As herein shown,

the device is provided with a series of insulated contacts I? F F2, insulated from each other by the insulating-piece K. Said insulated contacts are opposed to suitable contacts G G' G2, dsc., supported in proximity thereto, so as to engage the same as the coil is moved. Those contacts, as well as their size and relative position, will depend upon the circuits to be controlled and the results desired. I have shown the contacts G G' G?, thc., supported by the insulated piece II, and l have shown an additional set of contacts I I', dsc., similarl to the contacts G G', the cotresponding,r cont-acts heilig electrically connected together, as shown at J.v The coutacts I I', dsc., act after the coilV has moved; from beneath the contacts G G', the. The coil is also provided with the contacts L, L', L, and L and the opposed contacts M, M', and M3 for controlling the circuit through its various sections. These various circuits are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6, The current may be passed through the variousscctions of the coil in any desired manner-as by means of a hand-lever-for this purpose. I prefer, however, to provide aretarding or govern ing device for retarding the admission of the current, se as to prevent the operator from admitting the current too rapidly, and thus avoid the evilsA resulting therefrom.v Any suitable retarding device tn ay be used tor this purpose. Iprefer, however, to have the retardint.r device entirely4 out of the control of the operator. s

I have shown in Fig. 5 one construction by means of which this` result may be obtained.' This device consists of a solenoid orcoil divided into the sectionsv N and N' and, provided with a core made up of alternatesections ot magnetic and vnon-magneticl :nate rial. Any desired number of sections may beused for the coil and forl the core. I have shown the core as made up of` the sections N and N", of, non-magnetic material,

and the section N4, of magnetic material. A

series ot contacts O O' O,l dan., are; arso-l ciated with the core of said solencidandarc opposed to the contact-strip P. Theseutacts O O', &c. are connectedto thecoutrpller-contacts L &c., in the manner shown in Fig. 6. A contact 1?' ls-attached totheV core of the solenoid and is adaptedtcsuc. cessively connect vthe. contactslO 0' 0., 9r,c.,l with thecontact-strip Pas the, core lsmoved. SaidI core is also which works .in the cylinder l?, provided with an admission-opening Ifghavringacon-t, trolling-valve P This rvalveis in lvided with a small admission-opening P6, which maybe varied in size in order to regulate the speed at which the retarding device operates. A retreating-spring P7 normally tends to force the core to its initial position when the circuit through the solenoid is broken. When the parts are iu their initial position, as shown iu Fig. 5, the magnetic piece N projects only partially into the section N. If now the current is admitted into said section, the core will be gradually moved forward to a position of equilibrium, and since said core is longer than the section it this position of equilibrium is reached. If now the current is admitted into section N', the core will he again moved. forward. This movement of the core successively connects the contacts O O', &c., with the contact-stri p l. The forward movement of the core is retarded by the partial vacuum produced hack of the piston, which can only he relieved slowly bythe admission of air through the openin P. It will thus be seen that the s eed` o the core may he controlled at will.

henjthe current through the solenoid is broken, the retracting-spring P7 moves the core back to its initial position, the valve Pfs opening durin this movement of the core to peventitshetng moved too rapidly. The cont-actfstripl is connected by conductor I"8 withthe sections of the solenoid, said sections being connected to conductors R R'. (Seel lEigl) These conductors are connected with thecontacts R R3, associated with the controlling-handle R4. This controlling-handle is connected with the ground, as shown. I have alsoshowu a reversing device associated with the controller, 'lbis reversing device lcontrnlsthe, circuits, so as to reverse the direction oft rotation of t-he motor. Any suitvablcfeversing device may he used. As herein shown lxaveprovideda solenoid having -up of, pieces of magnetic material S2 S3, sepa: rated by pieces of non-magnetic material S. vThis'reversing device is provided with two sets of contacts T and U,'which are opposed ,tcaseriesof contacts V. When the contacts U are connectedwith the contacts V, the circuits are arranged so that the motorwill rotatejnonodrection, and when the contacts "1*, are connected with the contacts V the circuits are arranged so thatthe motor will ro- 4tateiutheo pcsitedirectlou. yWhenthe con- .tactsU an V are connected, the `magnetic piece S projectsonly partially into section S, a` @hence if the currentispassed through d, Section. the coil will he moved. The parts areso arranged that when equilibrium ,ifsobtaincdthe contacts Vaud '1 will be conleoo S'. projectsonly partially into section and hence if the current is passed through said. section the partswill be moved to dis- ;ccnnectcontacts'f and V and connect con- "tactsU and V. The current is admitted'to will' project partially into section N when IOO IIC

two sections S S', provided with a core made ,'nected.y Whenin thisposit'ion,themagnetic t the coils by means of Vthe contacts W, W'-, and W2 and the opposed contacts W3, W, and W5. The coils S and S are connected, through contacts W and W3, with the trolleywheel B and also by conductors B2 and Bs with the contacts B, associated with the controlling-handle R.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the several devices connected in circuit with the two motors C' and C2. A suitable resistance CB is also connected in circuit. 'lhis resistance is connected in circuit with the motors and the reversing device by a series of conductors C4 to C, inclusive. This figure shows one form of connections for use upon vehicles such as streetcars and the like, the vehicle-being provided ateach end with a controlling-handle R4. 'lhe parts and circuits are illustrated in a diagrammatic manner and not in their proper relation to each other, the intention being to prevent the confusion which wouldresult if the several soienoids were shown as Vcontained with the cylindrical parts upon which theeontacts are mounted.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a diagrammatic view ol the circuits when several vehicles or cars are connected in a train, the circuits being arranged so that all of the devices on all of the cars can be simultaneously operated from eitherend ot either car or vehicle. When the devices herein shown are used onla vehicle, they may be placed in any convenient location-as, for example, beneath the seatsso as to be out of the way, and the controlling handle or handles may be located atany convenient part where they will occupy very little space, and yet permit the complete contro'l of the mechanism.

I have described in detail a particular construction embodying my invention and have i illustrated the several parts connected in circuit in a particular manner. It is, however, evident that the part-s may be greatly varied in form, construction, and arrangement and may be connected in any desired circuit or with any desired mechanism, and that some of the parts may be omitted and others used in connection with parts not herein shown,`

without departing in any manner from the spirit of my invention, and I have not attempted to set forth the various uses to which my invention may be applied, as such uses' will readily suggest themselves to those versed in the art. I therefore do not limit myself to the construction and arrangement shown.`

When the coil is made movable, I prefer to 1provide some guiding device which prevents any rotation of the coil and insures its trav'- eling forward in the 1 proper position. n' Any device for this purpose may be used.I In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, I have shown a projecting part X, which cooperates with suitable guides Y, attached to the supports Y'. r

'lhe use and operation of my invention are as follows: When the parts arearranged and connected in circuit as shown in` Fig. 6, thelcontrolling-handles R4 normally'rest`-upon a' vA of the controller-coil is thus energized and.l

dead contact. If now it is desired to start up the motors, one of the controlling-handles is moved to one of the contacts B. It the controlling-handle is moved to the contact on the left, a circuit will be completed which will be traced as follows: from the trolley wheel, through contacts W3 and W, to section S of the coil of the reversing device, thence th rough contacts W'and Wand conductor Bsto contact B, thence through the controlling-handle to the ground. If the parts of the reversing device are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the coil will be moved, as hereinbei'ore described, so that the contacts Vaud 'l will he connected. If now it is desired to'have the motors rotate in the opposite direction, the controlling-handle is moved to the contact B* on the right.

A circuit will then he completed througi eci4 tion S'of the coil of the reversing dev' e and the coil will be moved tothe position shown in Fig. 3, so that the contacts V andU will b connected. If now the controlling-handle is moved onto contact R2, a circuit will be com pleted through the controller proper and th retardingdevice, said circuit being as follows from the trolley-wheel B to contacts M and L, thence through section Aoi the controller-coil,

thence through contacts L and M' to contact O, thence through contacts Pand P to section N of the coil of the retarding device, and thence through conductor R, contact R2, and controlling-handle R to the ground. Section the coil moved forward one step, so as lo con nect contacts F and G and contacts F andf.' G', the contacts F and F being connected to@1 gether, as shown in Fig. A circuitwill then be completed through the motors, which may be briefly traced as follows: from the trolley-wheel to contact G, thence through contacts F and F to contact G', thence through resistance Cs and conductors C and Cts to contacts V and U of the reversing device, thence by conductor C through the armature ot'l the motor C', thence by conductor C7 back to the contacts of the reversing device, thence by conductor CB through the fieldmagnets of the motor C', thence back to contacts G8 and G7 of the controller, thence through contacts Fu and F, which are electrically connected together, thence through contact G, conductor C, and the contacts ol f the reversing device, thence by conductor C through the armature of the motor C, thence .by conductor G10 th rough the contacts of the reversing device and conductor Cu through thefeld-magnets of the motor C, and thence tothe ground. As the core of the retarding device moves forward the contact O is disconnected from the contact-strip P and the next contact O connected therewith. The circuit through section A ot the controller-coil is then broken and the circuitthroughsection B completed, the. cireuit being ,traced as follows:

frointhe,trolley-wheel B' through contacts L and "Mgto section B', thencel through contacts Li-andf-Ma to ycontact O,lthencei to contact-4 -ing device in 'circuit'. The circuit-will then 'R'to contact =R-, and thence .through-the-conrelative zmovexnentjot fthetvvofparts, aecircuit strip -P-,the'n cethrongh'section N-oftheretard lng device,- anl'thence through conductorfR, contact R2, and -the ccntrollingfnandleR4 to the ground. The coil ofthe controllenproper` wvill'then lbe moved up anotherstep and 'the circuits 'correspondingly varied. :It :is of c ourseevident thatthese cirouitsmaybe va` ried in anydesired manrneaandfassuchfcircuits'areno Apart of mypresent "invention --I` wil1-not further describerthe circuits throughlthe motors. After a predetermined lengthof time the contactO' is disconnected from 'the con tact-stri p -P and the cox1'tact=0con nected therewith. The .circuit- -is :then completed through section C'of the-controllencoihand the'coil moved upranother step,s0 as to `turther 'vary the circuit through -the motors.v This .process-continuesuntilithe'contactuis connected-withthecontact-stripiP. Thecontrolliug-handle =R is then moved to contact Ra, `so as Ato-connect section Nof the-retardbe traced-as'follows: trom the `trolley-wheel =B through contaotsM 'and L,lthence through section'Ooftheoontrollercoihthence through contacts MJand tL, fco'ntacts =OIand P'., and contactstrip Pto section NoHhe coil'of the retardngidevice, thence Ithrongh conductor trolling-'handle tothe ground. Thefcontact P is'thenmovedk `up 1-gradualiy,-soaasftofsuccessively'engage the remaining-contactsfand operate the-controller `step =byrstep until it reuches'its extreme position. Y

,When itis'desired-tostop theunotors, the controlling-handle is lmoved backto the dead contact and the circuit is broken. The'retractng-springP'l then moves-contact P\b ack to its initial position, and the retractingspring` A' moves the coil of 4the-controller back itc its initinlposition.

When the construction'herein shownfis used on carsonvehicles, it will be seen 'that itl-is onlynecessaryto'have one controller for each vehicie'and that the controlling-handlemmay fbe-'providedrat each fend of thecaryso that either one may be 'used 'to operate thiscontrollcr.' p l f l i f lReferring.` now to IFig. 7, 1I have shownrdia- -gram maticallylthccontrolling mechanism-forI several'cars'orvehicles connected in entrain. Byconnecting the conductors .Bs B and fR Rot the several 'vehiclestogether,as'shown, the'controlling mechanismonall theivehioles' may be operated simultaneously vbyienytone of the controlling-handles.` v i 1. Acircuit-varyingdevicefcomprisingtwof .parts movable withrelationtceachothenoneg a coiled vcond nctor andthe otherac'ore there?` formadeupof piecesoft-magnetic and 'non-5 `magnetic materialgmeans vforsuccessiveiygenfl ergizin g diierentfportionsiofl saidjcoil,' ls oms l to cause saidff portions 'tojcoperate .'vritlijitli'eLr magneticA pieces fof v:the "core and produceerpartso as :to ccperate therewith,l-and a re-,f

itracting device fornnoving the parts toltheir -initial lposition. -3. Thefcombination `fwitlifstcoiledconductor :di-vided intoithree-or=moresections cfa-core for said fconduct-or made up of a :seriesgof -pieces roi magnetic material separated lby -piecesof non-magncticmaterial,-the coreand lcoil-beingmovablewvitlrrelationtoeachother, fconductors*leadangwoand from the three-sect-ions of said coil, wherebytthe current may be 'snccessivelymdmitted' into said 'sect-ions in :a predetermined manner, sofas \to p rodu ce raiprogressive step-hy-step relative-movement of thecore and coil.

A. 'A 'circuitwaryng device, comprising a coiled conductor-divided into `three orcnore fsections,-n-core for :said conductor made iup lota series lol Apieces of magnetic material Jsepamted by lpieces 'of :non-magnetic nutterial, lthe core and 'coil being .movable with lrelatlonrto each other, lconductors'leadi ngrto` :and -froin 'the three sections of said coil,

'-wherebydhe currentnnay be .successivelyadmitted into said sections infaipredetermined manner, :soiasto produceasprogressive stepby-steprelativemovementof-thecore and coil, fand'one r`or more Icontacts associated Ieither 'with 'said coil .or 'core so thatfthe relative 'movement-ofthe parts -variesanfelectrccu rlrent.'

j` -5. .Acircuit-'varying devicegoomprisingtwo parte movable withzrelaticn-toeaohother,fone '-a'coiledjconductorand theother a corexthereyxforunade 'up of piecesof .sxnagnetic and-nonzmagneticlmaterialnneanStor-successively en- -ergizingfditerentzportions'of said'coil, lso-ss '.tocausefsaidrportions to icoperate -with the magnetic Apieces 'of the core .andrprcducc a frelative movement fof i'thetrvo partsyone or #more contactsassociatedwith the movable partrso-asmctcoperate therewith, .and a dey"vice Atforlretarding the .relative'movement of M 6. E-lAcii-cnitvarying devicemomprisi ng tvvo |partemovable'withrelation toeach other,one

A.aycoiled -cond nctomnd; the other acer-etherefoivmade-npoi.' pieces-of magneticlandn'on- Afrna'nstic -mnaterialffsuitable I contacts. associl ated i with. said foore ;or' coil,fso -that-ttheirfrelagtive'smoveniet-ivariesanelectricrcircuit, said "rcoil'fr'livded-fntoiarzseriesiofzsectiensadapted beieparatelyienergized,condnctorsleadfi A. *VM

IIO

ingto and from said sections, a device for preventingr the too-rapid admission of the current into the sections ot' said coil, said device comprising a series of contacts arranged so that the circuits through said sections are nor-v mally open,- a movable part adapted to be moved along said contacts so as to successively complete the circuits through the sections of said coil, and means for controlling the speed of said movable part.

'7. Acircuit-varyingdevice,comprisiugtwo part-smovable with relation to each other, one a coiled conductor and the otheracore therefor made up of pieces of magnetic audv nonmagnetic material, suitable contacts associated with said core or coil, so that their rela-` tive movement variesau electric circuit, said coil divided into a series of sections adapted to be separately energized, conductors leading to and from said sections, a. retardingdevicelor preventing the too-rapid admission of the current into the sections of said coil, oomprising a solenoid divided into two or more sections and provided with a core made up of alternate pieces of magnetic and non-magnetic material,the core and coil movable with relation to each other, a limiting device for limiting the speed of the relative'movement of said core and coil, aseries of 'contactsconnectcd in circuit with the sections of the coil of the circuit-varying device, said contacts being successively connected in circuit by the relative movement of the core and coil of the retarding device.y p

8. A circuit-varying device, comprising a movable coiled cond nctor, a core therefor made up of pieces of magnetic and non-magnetic material, a series of electric contacts ksu rrou ndingsaid coil and insulated from each other, a series of opposed contacts connected in suitable electric circuits, means' for successively energizing different portions of said coil, so as to cause said portions to coperate with the magnetic pieces of the core and produce a step-by-step forward movement of the` core, whereby the contacts associated with the coil coperate with the opposed contacts to vary an electric circuit.

9. A circuit-varying device, comprising a movable coiled conductor, a core therefor made upot pieces of magnetic and non-magnetic material, a series of electric contacts surroundiugsaid coil and insulated from each other, a series of opposed con tacts connected in suitable electric circuits, means for successively energizing different portions offsaid coil, so as tocause said portions to cooperate with the magnetic pieces of the core and produce a step-by-step forward mcvementof the core, whereby the contacts associated with the coil cooperate with the opposed contacts to vary an electric circuit, and suitable guides associated therewith to prevent the rotation oi sa'1 ",c'oil.

10. circuit-varying device, com prlsinga coiled conductor divided into three ormore sections, a core for said conductor made up of a series of pieces of magnetic material sepa-4 rated by pieces of nonmagnetic material, the t core and coil being movable with relation to each other, a series of contacts associated `at a distance from the coil and electrically connected therewith, and a controlling-handle to coperate with said contacts so as to control the passage of the current through the sections ofthe coil.

1l. A circuit-varying device, comprising a series of contacts adapted when moved to control an electric circuit, means for moving said contacts, a device for retarding the movement fof said contacts and comprising two parts movable with relation to each other, one a coiled'conductor and the other a core therefor-made up of pieces of magnetic and nonmagnetic material, a circuit-controlling device associated with said parts and operated by the relative movement thereof, said circuit-controlling device associated with the moving means for said contacts, and a device for limiting the speedof the relative movement of said core and coil, whereby the varying of the electric circuit is retarded.

12. The combination with acontrolling device of a device for retarding the operation thereof, said device comprising a coiled conductor,a core therefor, the conductor and core movably mounted with relation to each other, a series of electric contacts associated with the controller and adapted to be acted upon by the relative movement of said core and coil, said contacts independent of the motor-circuit and a speed-limitingr device for limiting the speed of the relative movement of said core and coil.

13. The combination with a controller for motors of a device, comprising a coiled conductor, a core therefor, the conductor and core movable with relation to each other and so positioned thata relative movement is produced when the coil is energized, a series of contacts in circuit with the controller and adapted to be successivelyconnected in circuit by the relative movement ofthe core and coil, a coperating piston and cylinder, one connected with the .core and the other with the coil, and means for controlling the admission of air to said cylinder, so as to limit the speed of therelative movement of said core and coil.

14. The combination with a controller for motors of a retarding device, comprising a coiled conductor, a core therefor, the conductor` and core movable with relation to each other and so positioned that a relative move ment is produced when the coil is energized, limit, the speed of Lhe relative movement of n series of contacts in circuit, with the consaid core und coil,and u ret-mening device for broiler und udapted to he successively conmoving the parte to their initial position. nected in circuitl by the relative movement, oi 1 Y the core und coiLn coperuting piston und 'ADOLPH'G (JARLSON cylinder, one connected with the core und the Witnesses:

,other with the coil, means for eontrollingthe DONALD M. CARTER,

4 ndiniseion'of uir tio said cylinder, so ne 'to HOMER L. KRAFT. 

